Scam calls impact business at county courthouse

So many people were fooled by a recent telephone scam it tied up phone lines at the Lambton County Court House.

So many people were fooled by a recent telephone scam it tied up phone lines at the Lambton County Court House.

Sarnia Police took the unusual step last week of urging residents not to dial the callback number of 519-333-2950 if contacted by someone threatening arrest for unpaid taxes or other reasons.

“Unfortunately, these criminals seem to find more and more ways to make everyone’s life that much more difficult,” said Const. Giovanni Sottosanti, noting the courthouse was bombarded with calls.

No agency in Canada will call to threaten you with arrest unless payment is made. And anyone asking for payment in Bitcoin or gift cards is assuredly a scam, Sottosanti said.

The callers are trying to get personal information, including SIN numbers, to make phony credit cards or other documents.

Provide no information and just hang up, he advised

Police also ask those who get a scam call not to call police unless money or personal data is lost.